Reviews

Brideshead Revisited

By Evelyn Waugh. Adapted to the stage by Roger Parsley. Directed by Rob Croser. Independent Theatre. Goodwood Theatre, Adelaide. 17-25 November, 2017.

Displaying the resourcefulness and intelligence that are hallmarks of Independent Theatre’s literature adaptations, Brideshead is revisited upon us in the form of a stage version that seems certain to satisfy fans of the source material, though it may strike newcomers and/or agnostics as a period piece that does not quite break out of its time or place to become as relevant for modern viewers as it would like to be.

Night Slows Down

By Phillip James Rouse. Produced by Don’t Look Away Theatre Co and bAKEHOUSE Theatre Co. Director: Phillip James Rouse. Kings Cross Theatre, Sydney. 17 November – 9 December 2017

Here’s a play about the drowning of a capital city via Global Warming hurricanes, the mass shooting of workers and the end of civilisation as we know it. It runs for 75 minutes and has but three characters, one of which is in custody (‘arrested and detained pending further investigation’) for most of the action. This is a first play from excellent director Phillip James Rouse so let’s forgive him his Orwellian excesses. It’s pretty good.

Vale

By Nicki Bloom. State Theatre Company South Australia. Dunstan Playhouse. November 17-December 3, 2017

A search for the meaning of vale brings up two main definitions, a valley and a farewell. In Nicki Bloom’s play Vale, the term is also used as both a surname and the name for a group of boutique hotels.

The curtains open and we are presented with a shiny, gold and white penthouse suite which is the ‘home’ of Joseph (Mark Saturno) and Tina Vale (Elena Carapetis) awaiting the arrival of their daughter Isla (Tilda Cobham-Harvey) and her boyfriend, Angus (James Smith). It is New Year’s Eve and the traditional family party has yet to start.

Verdi Spectacular

State Opera SA. Adelaide Town Hall. November 21/22, 2017.

The great Giuseppe Verdi once said, “The artist must yield himself to his own inspiration, and if he has true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.”

Verdi obviously knew what suited him and so does Opera SA with their latest offering Verdi Spectacular.

Conductor Stephen Mould has constructed a night of some of Verdi’s most famous overtures, solos, duets, trios, quartets and chorus numbers, all backed by the illustrious Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

A Very Kransky Christmas

The Kransky Sisters. Alex Theatre, St Kilda. November 20 – 26, 2017  

The joy and the genius of the Kransky Sisters is that they worked out their shtick a long time ago: three other-wordly innocents locked in a genteel, impoverished, somewhat faded (probably by daylight savings) faux-gothic world in Esk, rural Queensland.   

Nunsense

By Dan Goggin. 1812 Theatre. Director: Trish Carr. 16th Nov – 9th Dec, 2018

For their final season of the year 1812 Theatre have included a musical into their repertoire.

Nunsense is a long running Off Broadway musical that is farcical in nature, but chaotic in content.

The plot revolves around five nuns from the convent of the Little Sisters of Hoboken. They have gathered their ‘talents’ in order to raise money to bury four of their colleagues who are being stored in the school cafeteria's freezer. 

Australia Day

By Jonathan Biggins. Canberra Repertory Society. Directed by Cate Clelland. Theatre Three, 3 Repertory Lane Acton. 16 November – 2 December 2017

Culture clashes, racism, political correctness, internal hypocrisy, political intrigue, farce and a truly horrific school band combine to make Canberra Rep’s Australia Day a hilarious experience. This Jonathan Biggins hit from a few years ago is set in the small country town of Coriole, where a committee is meeting to organise the 2013 Australia Day celebrations.

Obsession

Written and Directed by Kellie Silver. Javeenbah Theatre, Nerang, Gold Coast. 17TH November to 2nd December, 2017

Obsession is the creation of local playwright and author Kellie Silver - an interesting story, full of twists and intrigue and an old violin.

A young married couple move into a house that has been in the family for a very long time. The previous occupant was the wife’s grandfather and is very much a “fixer upper”.

Mary Poppins

Book by Julian Fellowes, Music and Lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman. New Songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Ballina Players Theatre, Ballina. Director: Sue Belsham. 17th November – 10th December, 2017.

This popular musical is Ballina’s final offering for the year. It’s full of colour, great performances and proving to be a great favourite with all.

Sue Belsham has managed to capture the magic, and with Leanne Broadley’s musical direction and Jaime Sheehan’s choreography, has delivered a bright and memorable show.

Leading the cast are two Gold Coast Area Palm awarded performers, Veronica Lovejoy in the title role, ably complemented by Brian Pamphilon as Bert.

Master Class

By Terrence McNally. Directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher. Subiaco Theatre Centre, WA. Nov 18 - Dec 2, 2017

In Terrence McNally’s Master Class, the audience have to opportunity to attend a master class with opera superstar Maria Callas. Do not be concerned about the fact that Miss Callas passed away in 1977; the amazing Amanda Muggleton has embodied her with passion and intensity.

The audience becomes the class and Maria teaches with a fury and self-belief that can only come from a true Diva. Amanda Muggleton’s performance is outstanding, and deserved the standing ovation on Opening Night.

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